Monday, January 17, 2011
Nokia Stops Offering Free Music In Most Markets

Nokia has stopped selling subscriptions to its Ovi Music Unlimited
service in some countries since the beginning of 2011, while the
service continues in a number of others.

The change is not universal. Nokia will continue to offer 12-month
subscriptions in China and India, while offering six-month
subscriptions in Brazil, Turkey and South Africa.

Nokia said that its existing customers will have uninterrupted access
to the music library until their subscriptions finish and that these
customers will be able to keep their music downloads forever.
Existing customers are still able to buy DRM free songs through the
catalogue on Nokia' s Ovi Music Store.

"This is part of preparations to deliver new, innovative music
experiences as part of Ovi during 2011. This comes in response to
customer feedback and promises to deliver better, more locally
relevant experiences. However, the new deals and other arrangements
necessary for this to happen meant that old ones needed to be ended.
We?ll release more details on these new services as they are
announced," Nokia said in a statement.

Ovi Music - Nokia's DRM-free, a-la-carte music store - is not
affected by these changes, Nokia added.

All four major labels -- Universal Music, EMI, Warner Music Group and
the music arm of Sony -- had signed up for Nokia's Ovi Music
Unlimited service, which was seen at start as a major challenger for
Apple's iTunes. The service was unveiled n late 2008 in Britain.